National Museum of Women in the Arts

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is a must-visit—an inspiring and thought-provoking space that beautifully highlights the contributions of women in the art world. I came expecting to enjoy the exhibits, but I left with a renewed appreciation and a deeper perspective on both art and gender representation. The collection is diverse, powerful, and beautifully curated, featuring everything from classical masterpieces to bold contemporary works. Each piece tells a story that challenges traditional narratives and celebrates the voices of women across time and cultures. The museum is elegant, peaceful, and welcoming, with kind staff and a layout that invites quiet reflection. It’s also a perfect place to take a friend, especially someone interested in gender studies or women’s studies—the museum offers so much to think about and discuss. Whether you’re an art lover, a student of culture, or just looking for a meaningful experience in D.C., this museum is both enriching and unforgettable.

As someone who champions women artists, the National Museum of Women in the Arts felt like somewhere I had to visit. It's such a special place solely dedicated to women artists, who are often underrepresented or misrepresented within arts institutions. What a breath of fresh air to recognize that I was standing in a room of work created from and by the female gaze. The museum staff were so welcoming, and the place is so neat and well-kept. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits that were on view, particularly Guerrilla Girls: Making Trouble and Niki de Saint Phalle In Print. I felt so inspired, and their exhibitions are so well thought out and interesting. I also really liked their ongoing exhibitions with works from women artists I didn't know about. Overall, if you support the cause or want to see some really thought provoking exhibits, I highly recommend visiting this museum. I went on a Tuesday morning, and it was easy to purchase tickets on site. There is also a really neat gift shop with a lot of amazing books, as well as a Photo Booth which I used as a nice souvenir.

I’ve been to The National Museum of Women in the Arts a few times recently for work events and then a few times after to check out their museum shop. It’s interesting to also experience the museum from a work perspective as an event venue. EVENT VENUE: As an events person, it’s a beautiful venue that’s perfect for receptions. The multiple levels offer different ambience depending on the event and budget, etc. Their events staff were nice and helpful. Every event that I’ve worked on at this venue has been fairly easy to set-up/load-in/out. As a patron, I love going to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, it’s a vibrant collection of creative expression by women artists. Each floor offers a different artistic lens to appreciate. I will say that while I enjoy the exhibits, the museum shop is my favorite for many reasons. The shop is so well curated featuring unique items reflecting the vast range of women artists. From jewelry to silk scarves to one-of-a-kind coffee table books, there is something for everyone. One little hidden gem at the NMWA is the art print vending machine that features $1 prints by female artist, Anastasia Inciardi (IYKYK); Four quarters will get you a surprise 2”x3” art print. I went a week ago and ended up having a serendipitous experience chatting with a lady that like me was also there just to get one of the vending machine prints. It’s the perfect place for it. If you’re looking for a unique museum experience in DC consider the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

first in the door! there were a couple of elementary school groups in, which was really sweet to see. beautiful, curiously bare foyer and a stone staircase that leads to all the exhibits. There is also a gorgeously crafted chandelier in the entrance; look up! The Uncanny exhibit was satisfyingly eerie and well worth the visit, so many different dimensions and interpretations of the theme explored.

This museum is completely worth the price of admission. It's such a wonderful collection of works from a plethora of artists in a variety of mediums. So many museums neglect artists who identify as women and this museum is such a sacred space to celebrate the talents and contributions to the world of art.

Such a beautiful experience! I visited this museum for the first time last Saturday for International Women’s Day. I enjoyed the “Uncanny” exhibit the most. Living in this region has really heightened my love for exploring and discovering new things to love about the human experience.

lovely museum with gorgeous art! reading every blurb took us about 30 minutes per floor. they have the cutest little art print vending machine in the gift shop from inciardi (make sure to bring quarters!!) and also an old style photo booth!

Beautiful museum with a collection that includes lots of icons plus many artists that I had not heard about. I would definitely add this museum to your list. I loved the space with all the marble, and it wasn't too overwhelming. I was able to check everything out within an hour.

We frequently pass through this area of DC and have long wanted to explore it. Recently, we had the opportunity to visit the museum and were thoroughly impressed by both the art and the architecture. We enjoyed the extensive collections and special exhibitions after taking the elevator to the upper floor. We were particularly taken by a stunning watercolor painting titled "Barbados" by Patricia Tobacco Forrester, which beautifully captures the nuances of nature. Additionally, the special exhibition "Suchitra Mattai: Myth from Matter" is currently on display. It showcases a remarkable combination of vintage and contemporary materials, resulting in captivating two- and three-dimensional works. This exhibition is certainly worth a visit. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and is conveniently located a short walk from City Center. In addition to its fascinating collections and exhibitions, the building is quite beautiful, particularly the grand hall on the ground floor, which features elegant marble staircases and exquisite chandeliers.

I'm quite split on my opinion of this museum. Located on New York Ave, it's possible to find metered street parking right in front of the museum or the block or two over. You don't have to download an app to pay for this, you can just use card at one of the machines. I've been working my way through museums in DC as I'm new to the area and this one admittedly came up on my TikTok for you page advertising their $1 mini prints in their gift shop. As someone who journals, I knew I would love one of these and thought they'd be cute enough to give as little random gifts to my friends. The adult price is $16 if you're over 21 and not a DC resident which is reasonable. I think the reason I did not come out loving this museum is that the majority of the art is contemporary, something I did not know prior to coming. I am not a fan of contemporary art and though I wandered the entirety of the museum and appreciated its spotlight on women artists, this art style is just not my preferred at all. The $1 print machine requires quarters which I asked to exchange money for at the gift shop. The cashier actually just pulled out a stack of the prints and let me pick blindly the 6 prints I selected. Unfortunately; I got 3 of 1 print, 2 of another, and finally a 3rd unique print so this wasn't the ideal goal either but this is possible with a blind draw so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I finally got a chance to visit this museum after it reopened last year, and I really enjoyed it. As the name implies, all the art in the museum is by women. The museum is super easy to get to from either McPherson or Metro Center. This museum you do have to pay to visit (though check their website for free admission days), the current cost is $16 which felt high in a city with multiple free art museum. There are four floors of art to see. I personally loved the second floor current exhibit by Suchitra Mattai, the exhibit was incredible and I wish it was a permanent exhibit. The museum is a decent size and took us about a bit over an hour to walk visit at a casual pace.

This museum was phenomenal! I can't recommend this museum enough. Easily one of my top 5 favorite museums. The diversity of women artists and works of art is truly commendable.

Great art museum. Went on a Saturday around 3pm. Very clean and well kept. Featured plenty of wonderful pieces. There are 4 floors but unfortunately we were not allowed on the 2nd floor.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts was a great art museum to visit. The inside is very nice and the Mezzanine is constructed with marble giving off an opulent atmosphere. Perfect rainy day or cold weather activity. The museum has 5 floors and many exhibits. Felt bigger than the Hirshorn and I love the motivation of showcasing female artists at NMWA. There's free admission on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month. I highly enjoyed my visit. The art was impressive. There were many sculptures indoors too.

Reopened after a big renovation, the National Museum of Women in the Arts is a must-visit when in Washington, D.C. Located inside a historic building in downtown close to Metro stations, bikeshare docks, and other landmarks, it's open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $13-$16 and free for anyone under 21. They also offer community days each month with free museum access. If you pay for your ticket, do so online. Once you check in, they will hand you your printed ticket and guide you to the start of the museum. The museum covers four floors with a fifth floor for events. The first floor is one massive ballroom with a few small exhibits. Walk up the stairs to where the cafe will be and a photography exhibit. The third and fourth floors is where the majority of the art sits. Sculptures, paintings, Georgia O'Keefe pieces, and more grace the museum. Every piece is from a woman artist and each piece is worth really looking at. I spent an hour in the museum. It's worth a visit!

Pop into this museum while you are in DC for a couple floors of awesome, female created art. I personally love modern art, so was pleasantly surprised to see all kinds of sculptures, installations and interesting stories. It's conveniently located, so make this a quick stop on your DC tour. Or if you are local pop over.

Cyndy's Bottom Line: A well curated museum featuring Women in the Arts *Street parking, or parking garages near by *Tues-Sun: 10am-5pm *Closed on Mondays and select holidays *Admission $16 for adults *Admission is free on the first Sunday and second Wednesday of the month. *Group tours available *Museum shop and cafe available *WiFi available The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) wedge-shaped Neoclassical building originally built in 1908 as a Masonic temple. The NMWA building underwent a $70 million dollar renovation. The result is breathtaking of traditional grandeur. The twin stairs cascading with a white balustrade onto a beautiful, elegant all marble floor is striking. The classical wall moldings, ceiling and arched windows are magnificent to see. The NMWA is "the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts." A well curated museum of women artists. The artwork is wonderfully displayed in the arched walls in the mezzanine and throughout the galleries. +Highly recommend.

Everyone should visit and support this museum. There was art for everyone. We enjoyed our time on international women's day. 2nd floor was closed but there were still 3 other floors to admire the beautiful work done by women.

Definitely worth a visit. Love how all the exhibits are centered around highlighting inequity in art for women and at the same time raising awareness of the contributions women have made to Art.

We stumbled on this museum while walking in DC, had no idea it was there but were so glad we gave it a try! Featuring (obviously) women in the arts, works by some well-known artists like Georgia O'Keefe, but also many artists who deserve wider recognition. In a beautifully restored building with a reasonable admission charge, worth a stop if you're in DC.

After being closed for two years for renovations, the National Museum of Women in the Arts reopened in October! I had been waiting to visit, so we made it for a visit within their first couple of weeks of being open. The museum looks great (I don't know what it looked like before, since this was my first visit), and was very spacious and open in many areas. The museum doesn't feel huge, but its collection is varied and special. Highlights for me were works by Remedios Varo, Hung Liu, Marisol, Frida Kahlo, and Alison Saar! Great little gift shop, but the cafe either wasn't open yet or we couldn't find it? Walking through a lot of museums, it can feel like an activity or a game looking for a few, one, any work by a woman artist, so it's a real treat to walk through this museum and see the range of work it has on display by woman artists! Definitely worth a visit if you love museums, art, supporting women artists,...!

We came here for an event at night, which was great. This museum is really amazing. I cannot believe that this is the first time that I went to this museum. I hope that there are more events in the future. I recommend everyone visit this museum at some point.

I absolutely love touring new museums on my spare time. This was one that I truly enjoyed. And if you did not know, every first Sunday, it is free entry at the museum.

A fantastic way to spend an afternoon in DC, this museum is a short walk from Metro Center metro. There was a nice variety of artwork. Tickets cost $16 for non-DC residents, $13 for DC residents and are free for those 21 years and younger.

The museum has always been wonderful, but the complete redesign is incredible. We always go to their permanent as well as special exhibits. The museum also schedules special zoom calls when curators walk through exhibits and comment for those who cannot attend in person We visit the museum very frequently and consider it to be a real treasure in DC, if not the country.

Wow wow wow! What a beautiful museum! Unassuming and tucked between a Macdonald's don't miss this museum! It's no Smithsonian, but you won't regret your time here. A gorgeous and grand entry way leads to stairs and several lovely curated rooms. The Sonya Clark exhibit is a must see - I especially appreciate how many of her work and the variety available to view here. The other rooms have themes like Family and Place and feature a diverse selection of artists and subjects - not just white women. Really unique experience here and the gift shop is darling with fun little treasures. You won't be totally wiped out after either, unlike some of the larger more overwhelming museums. I've been to DC several times and thought this was one of the best museum experiences I've been to! Highly recommend.

I've lived my whole life within a 2 hour radius of DC and just this month went to the NMWA for the first time. If you haven't been and the admission cost is reasonable for your budget, go. Take your friends. The experience of being in a gallery filled with art made by women and non-binary people can only be described as joy-filled. There were also at least 3 installations on display that brought me to tears as I related to the piece on display and the story behind that piece coming into existence. I'm already looking forward to going back and taking my mom with me next time she's in town for a visit.

Went here last summer, before it closed for renovation. I love the museum plenty of portrait to see, so many women artist. Of my favorite Frida Kahlo I can definitely watch the portrait and enjoy the exhibit. There are also a couple of African American portrait which are great to see. I love the rubber art and the animals exhibition. There also a woman room which has beautiful neon light and arts. Beautiful museum great to see and enjoy when it open again.

I spent the afternoon here yesterday & it was glorious! There are so many wonderful works here that I don't know where to begin. The Rosa Bonheur that's on display (Sheep by the Sea) is beyond beautiful. The Helen Frankenthaler (Spiritualist) is wonderful as well. And the Frida Kahlo self-portrait is a work I could look at for hours. I was also impressed that the museum had works by Elizabeth Catlett on display.

Any time I get to celebrate women, and their contributions to society, (besides being an incubator for the next generation), I WHOLEHEARTEDLY will! Without a fucking doubt! I think we've been conditioned that we're not truly happy until we have an ankle-biter, or two running amok in our lives. I wholeheartedly disagree! I believe this is the only museum in the country run by women, and have women artists exclusively. During our visit, we didn't get to see all the exhibits, so I'm definitely going back the next time we're in town!

The Rodarte exhibit (until Feb 10th) is a true wonder and perfect blend of fashion and art. With 90 unique looks, the Mulleavy's sisters ornate collection is an exquisite hodgepodge of intricate materials meticulously layered and blended to form beautiful masterpieces. I learned new materials and texturing techniques that I never knew existed like mohair (type of yard), dyed silk tulle, pintuck and ruched leather, cotton cheesecloth, laser-cut leather, organza, and Star Wars digital designs printed on charmeusse. Every look had contrasting elements with a variety of materials and techniques that were artfully crafted and dazzled with Swarovski crystals! Although the Black Swan dresses were impressive, the entire collection left me breathless and in awe. This was by far my favorite Smithsonian exhibit as I spent 2 hours whimsically doting the craftsmanship of each piece. Truly magnificent - even my hubby enjoyed it!

This museum doesn't have free admission but I consider it to be a must visit. What a wonderful way to look at women throughout history. I think this is a place that everyone should see to get an understanding and gain perspective on people as whole. I enjoyed browsing all of the exhibits.

I went on an invited tour here (early February 2019) last year with a group of friends while the RODARTE exhibition was open for viewing. A description of the American luxury fashion exhibition as posted to the Museum website - https://nmwa.org/exhibitions/rodarte . While the structure could use some updating the contents were amazing. This is a fee-for-entry museum. The location on New York Avenue is just mediocre. On the weekend I toured, though, it was fairly busy. The items from runway and couture designers were both interesting and beautiful. The posted picture of my favorite gown- with ice blue and white color scheme- makes the pedestal beneath appear light as air. I'm thankful I was able to make it to tour this special exhibition and Museum - it was worth the cost of admission. I hope this Museum remains interesting and attractive for many, many years.

I attended the HBCUAlliance 3rd annual event. It was a great event but the HALL/EVENT SPACE RAN OUT OF MAKERS MARK. How though? We enjoyed the live band and dancing. They did have some great food in terms of the roast beef. The venue was spacious and accommodating #HBCUAlliance

A wonderful and inspirational collection recognizing and celebrating female talent in the arts. The main collection on the 3rd level took my breath away. The intimate space, the grey-toned walls, and carpeted flooring made for a top viewing experience this museum-filled weekend. I was especially impressed by the curated paintings by female artists dating back to the 1600s. While admission is not free and the scale of this museum is on the smaller side, highly recommend a visit. Truly one-of-a-kind.

A wonderful museum! The museum is small but it has a great collection of inspiring pieces done by powerful women. The staff were lovely and the museum store had so many things I wanted to buy.

This muse is great. The building is classic and beautiful on the first floor. A couple of my favorite female artists & sculptors have work here: Frida Kahlo & Louise Nevelson. I enjoy coming to visit just for an hour to stimulate my brain ( eye candy). The gift shop has some lovely items to check out or purchase. BofA used to have free first weekends of the month for patrons. The museum offers a community day that's free to the public on Sundays once a month first Sunday. It is not part of the Smithsonian but a Must see place to visit. Women Rock!

Gender bias still creates disparity and obstacles. It is wonderful that one museum of art is trying to overcome that. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is a right size, in a wonderful building and has great art. It has a free entrance on certain days like yesterday. Very cute gift shop too. I was glad to see Frida Kahlo painting and I was sad not to see a painting by Artemisia Genthileschi (she was the first woman to become a member of the Art Academy in Florence in early 1600's). There is something for everybody in this museum and I am certain that I will continue going there like I did in the past.

Okay so this museum is a very nice building from the moment you walk in. And it's kind of off the beaten path and not well known apparently because it was pretty empty. Most museums in the DC area are always packed so it was really a great opportunity to take pictures and admire the art without being bothered with large groups and such. The front desk staff wasn't as friendly as you would expect. They told us to go into the gift shop to buy our tickets. The tickets were $10 and actually stickers of women in the arts. So that was cool. One of the "security" that walks around in a blazer to make sure you aren't touching or stealing was very friendly. He sparked up conversation with us and told us more about the museum and one of the art pieces. The art overall was very nice. The museum shop also has a lot of beautiful and unique things. I wished there were more sculptures and things of that sort but really it nice to have a museum dedicated to women's art.

This museum is a hidden gem with beautiful & interesting artwork in a gorgeous building. I was just as obsessed w the chandeliers as i was with the art. The staff was very warm, kind, & helpful throughout all 4 floors. It wasnt too crowded on a Friday so I felt safe even with COVID. I would definitely recommend if you want something to do in DC with all the other museums closed this winter

I came here to commemorate women's history month and was disappointed at the lack of art for and by women of color. It was basically a celebration of mostly white women. I would love to see more intersectionality when it comes to the artists and art. Not just during Black history month or Native American history month. I did enjoy the neon art installation and the tire art installation!

This is the only museum dedicated to celebrating women in the arts (@womenshistory). This gem is much bigger than it looks from the outside. The space is just beautiful. It looks more like an embassy or palace. The event page is full of interesting experiences in the museum or around town. I attended a screening during the "Women in Film series." I suggest putting this museum on your "to do" list. (men are welcome too.)

My daughter wants to be an artist, so I decided to visit this museum during women's history month. I enjoyed the museum, although was disappointed a bit for the price considering the competition so to speak is free and much bigger. That said, the fees kept crowds away which I was grateful for on a weekend day. As I walked around the exhibits I felt a bit robbed that I had not heard of many of these artists before even though they had clearly the same level of talent of their male contemporaries. The museum overall seemed to have more Western and European artists, and I think could use some infusion from Africa and South America. I would encourage the museum to include more interactive options for children. This was the third art museum we took my daughter to this year, and the first to not have a scavenger hunt, app or some other children's feature. Also the museum itself is a pretty spectacular place and I think would be a great venue for special events. I would recommend for art enthusiasts.

This review is for the mezzanine cafe, which is a lovely elegant place for lunch during the work week. A long list of sandwiches is available, although most are some variation of protein (brisket, chicken, pork, bacon), veggies, sauce, and bread. The one veggie sandwich option is a sweet potato, avocado concoction, which has won positive reviews from dining companions. I tried the David McCall with potato salad the first time and tried the chimichurri with broccoli with dragon sauce the second. Both sandwiches were delicious and flavorful. I loved how hearty they were and how the combination of ingredients went well in between the sturdy bread. However, I didn't really like how fatty the brisket was on the David McCall. The chimichurri's roasted chicken was cooked to perfection and was nice and soft against the slightly crispy bahn mi bread. I didn't like the potato salad as much though. I found it too acidic and tangy for my taste; on the other hand, I really liked the broccoli even though I normally don't care for feta cheese. The dragon sauce gave the side dish a slight kick while the walnut and broccoli gave the dish overall a crunch and the red onions gave it a bite. Seating is upstairs on the mezzanine level with lovely arch windows overlooking H St. There's also seating adjacent to the railings overlooking the grand foyer. Water is available for free or you can opt for other beverages for a fee. After you have placed your order, you are handed a little stand with a number where someone will climb the steps to find you and present your order.

I happened to see sign out front for a lunchtime talk on Judy Chicago. They have an impressive collection of art, over time, from some phenomenal women artists! I am very grateful that they introduced me to Judy Chicago's work... A love affair I am sure will continue & grow.

This is a cool museum that's easy to miss since it's not in the mall area where so many other museums are concentrated. I came with a friend on Community Day (first Sunday of each month), so admission was free. I do wish there wasn't admission, as is standard with so many other museums in the area - I feel like it would help more people visit, and therefore understand its importance. The architecture on the first floor is stunning, though the layout of it is a bit odd - you walk in and you're not quite sure where to go. We had to walk around for awhile before finding much actual art. I'd say most people will find something they like here (and probably things they don't like). There is a huge variety of styles, as the only common denominator in the museum is that the artists are women. There was some highly modern art that I didn't really like, but then I found a couple floors with pieces I really loved. The variety definitely keeps things interesting! It's definitely on the smaller side - I think we got through the whole museum in about 60-75 minutes, and we looked at everything. Overall, I hugely support this idea and museum - I think it would be great if some additional art was added on the first floor, and maybe more markers designated the space. Make sure to come on Community Day if you are weary of the entrance fee.

I always try and visit at least one museum when it DC and if by myself I try to pick one I haven't seems the Women in Arts museum was my choice this time as it was close to my hotel and new to me. I enjoyed the pretty building, lovely women at the front who directed me well and that it was pretty quiet. The gallery has a varied collection of painting and sculpture from a wide variety of women from different places and ages throughout history. Explanation and history notes are interesting and provide perspective. I enjoyed my visit although I wished the collection was a bit larger.

Nice museum that I kept meaning to visit, and finally did thanks to a free community day (first Sunday of the month) and the government shutdown. The museum's main plaza is quite elegant, with grand stairs and a large open area, and would be great for a wedding or similar. It was great to see so many female artists represented, as well as their interpretations of female subjects. One of the highlights for me was getting to see a couple of pieces by the same woman who did Michelle Obama's official portrait. There was also a large temporary exhibit of dresses by Rodarte that attracted a lot of attention. The museum was quite bustling when I went, though I imagine it's a little slower/quieter when it isn't free and/or when most other museums in the city are closed. I definitely want to visit again sometime when it's a little more relaxed.

I prefer free museums but if I have to pay, it's for places like this that highlight WOMEN. Loved the experience. The building is lovely with the marble accoutrements and decor and there were meaningful exhibits throughout. It's free once a month and I recommend going in on those days. Nice gift store as well.

I went here to see the Rodarte exhibit and loved exploring! Such a pretty space with great art! I would suggest visiting if you want to check out a beautiful space, somewhat off the beaten path. You do pay for this museum but the cost was well worth the experience, so I didn't mind.

It is a nice Museum worth the visit. I am not an Art expert, I am just learning as I go. The expositions on site were nice, I related and understood all of them. I am giving it 3 stars because it simply didn't satisfied my hungry Artistic eyes. I was expecting to see more art from women, it needs more. There are so many wonderful women artists all over the US that can be here, yet they are not. I just kept thinking about all the great women artists I see on Instagram. But hey, this is only my 2 cents, like I said I am not an art expert.

When I was planning what I wanted to do when I got to Washington, DC, going to a museum was on the list. I discovered National Museum of Women In the Arts since it was near the airbnb I was staying and decided to check it out. Since this museum is not part of the Smithsonian museums, it does have an admission price, but I think it was worth it. I spent $8 on admission because I had my student ID and I paid for it in the gift shop. I stopped off first to eat lunch at the Mezzanine Cafe before starting to wander around. There were a few floors of artwork for me to explore that were pretty and interesting. When I went, the Rodarte exhibit was there, and the fashionable clothing was beautiful. I admit, not everything I saw was to my liking, but I liked enough of what I saw that I wouldn't mind coming back here for a second or third look. After exploring the museum, I went back down to the first floor to explore the gift shop. I picked up a shirt. The website for National Museum of Women In the Arts is pretty great as well (https://nmwa.org/) because there is so much information on it, including an advocate section where you can find out more information about women in the arts, how to take action, and locations of exhibitions around the country that are featuring women artists.

I went a few weeks ago on the free museum day. To be honest, if this museum was in a mid-sized city, I may have given out 5 stars, but it doesn't stand out to me among all the other great museums in the area (many which are free!). We probably spent 1-1.5 hours in there. -The organization by theme didn't really feel logical or work for me. -Check to see what the special exhibits are when you go. The two that were there when I went weren't to my taste, but from reading earlier reviews, they've done some cool stuff in the past, and I'm sure will in the future. -It looks like they do a few museum day on the first Sunday of the month. That's cool, but it's worth keeping in mind you may get more of the types of people who like posing with photos when it's already busy. Not the museum's fault, of course.

If you're looking for a quickish museum to go through... This might be the one for you. It's art by women, but really it's just another art museum in a beautiful building :) When you go in, it's a little on the dark side and the store is immediately on your left. Then the big open space on your right. Chandeliers everywhere. Bright. And a staircase going up. Nice. There are several floors of exhibits. All very nice to walk through. In my pictures I captured some of my more memorable ones. Not too many people here, so it can be very relaxing. Good selection too. On the first Sunday of the month, it's free admission if you're not sure you want to pay to see the work. So especially then it's worth at least a quick run through. An hour or two should be enough. I'll probably be back when there's more interesting exhibits to be seen..

This place has awesome special exhibits. I usually go when they have something for a limited time, because i am generally drawn to contemporary art. Quick note: this museum is not a Smithsonian so there is an entrance fee. But they regularly host "community days" where they waive the fee.

After museum hopping all over D.C, I've learned that I appreciate the smaller museums more because they are often less crowded and not quite as overwhelming. This was the case with the National Museum of Women in the Arts. We arrived about an hour before closing on a Sunday and there were very few people in the museum. Note that this is not a free museum, entry is $10. Portions of the museum were closed off when we visited, so if there is a specific exhibit you are planning to view, check the website to make sure it is open. We were not able to view the exhibit on the 3rd floor but everything else was accessible. We were able to view Hung Liu in print (ending 7/8/2018) and Women House in its' final days. Both exhibitions were quite impressive. Women House was a tribute to the 1972 exhibit that challenged the conventional ideas of gender roles and a woman's place in the household. This museum is located near Chinatown which is about 1.5 miles from the National Mall area and the interior space is beautiful. Definitely worth checking out.

We visited this museum for free on Community Day (the first Sunday of the month). I love how subtly feminist this place is. It features a variety of art media all created or inspired by women. The staff is all very helpful, even the museum security, who graciously offer to take your picture next to the art. I'm so glad we came here!